Negative criticism is hardly ever pleasant, but your comments were all very polite and reassuring, as always. Siobhan's comment, telling me the bow looked like Ariel's shell bra, definitely takes the crown; I literally laughed my ass off at the screen. Anyway, thank you all for your honest opinions!

As you might have spied on Instagram, I removed the bow, and as I suspected, the shirt is now a bit anonymous, but much more wearable. It still has both construction and fit issues (not to mention it needed a good ironing before photos), but it's ok.

Now, time for a new project! I just hope it's gonna be a more successful one...

Pattern: Bow Shirt by Ralph PinkSize: I'm not sure! Should be a UK12Alterations: I used the sleeves of the Sureau dress by Deer and DoeFabric: cream chiffon with polka dots and black cotton poplin available on Minerva Crafts (unfortunately, the chiffon is sold out)

Guys, there's so much frustration behind these photos, you can't even imagine.

As I explained in my post for the Minerva Blogger Network, this blouse wasn't my March project, but my April project.
What happened to my March project, you ask? Well, it was supposed to be a mid-season boyfriend coat, made using the ever-so-popular Gérard coat by République du Chiffon, but I disliked the result so much that I ended up asking Vicki of Minerva Crafts if I could just not show it. I want to stress the fact that the pattern was absolutely fine (although extremely time consuming to tape together, trace and add seam allowance to), but it just doesn't look right on me. Also, the fabric looked terrible... I should have ordered swatches.

Anyway, back to the shirt... There's plenty of drama there as well.
First of all, of course I didn't make a muslin! Stupid me, trying a new pattern from a new designer, I almost slapped myself when I had all my fabric cut and I realized the armholes and sleeves were completely wrong for me. My solution, as written above, was to simply cut the sleeves of the Sureau dress and praying that would work. Thankfully, it did.

Second reason for drama: the fabrics I chose are too different in weight. That means the bow is too heavy and bulky and I had to tack it in place or it would flop around.

Finally, I'm not sure about this bow at all. The first time I tried the shirt on, I really hated how it looked; now I do a bit less, but I still think the proportions are not right for my body. The section in the middle is too large, and the body of the bow is maybe too small, and the result is that my bust looks... weird in this shirt.

A few more words on this pattern, since it seems like there aren't many reviews on Ralph Pink patterns around the web.
First of all, I really hated that the pattern is multi-size, but you can only print one size at the time. That means there's less taping to do and that you can skip tracing, but it's very inconvenient for someone like me, whose measurements never fall in just one size.
Another thing I hated is that the size guide is only available online; of course you can save it and print it or consult it offline, but I find it absurd that it's not included in the pattern.
And one last thing: the size is not marked on the pattern pieces! That's why I'm not exactly sure which size I even printed out. Silly me, I should have noted that down, but it's something I usually take for granted...

One more thing to note is that the seam allowance for these patterns is 1cm (3/8"); I don't have any strong feeling about this. It was just unfortunate in this case, because I didn't increase it before cutting my fabric and was unable to use french seams for the shirt, which would have looked better with the chiffon.
One big plus for this pattern are the instructions, though: detailed, fully and clearly illustrated, just great all over.
If I sum all these aspects to the price (9.99£ = 12€), which is not cheap for a pdf, I don't know if I'll try other pattern from this designer...What's your experience with Ralph Pink patterns? Have you tried them? Do you want to?

In conclusion, lots of drama surrounded this shirt, which means I kinda hate it right know and am very torn on what to do with it: keep it as is and hopefully like it more when the drama dies down, or remove the bow and make it perfectly wearable (although a little dull)?What should I do?

I’ve been seeing so much love for @deer_and_doe_patterns #ddmyosotis dress, so here’s mine!
I really liked this design and I got it as soon as it was released, but this first attempt of mine was a big flop. I didn’t make a muslin because Eléonore’s block used to fit me pretty well (and also because I didn’t feel like it 🤫) and it’s terrible on me. The shoulders are a disaster, the waist seam needs to be higher at the back and lower at center front, I don’t like the darts and there’s too much ease at the waist for my own taste.
I’m afraid I’ll salvage the fabric from the skirt and say farewell to the rest... 😭
#sundaysewing #handmade #sewing #sewingproject #sewingfail

Instant gratification 🎉🎉🎉 Made a @jenniferlaurenhandmade #huntertank in around three hours from cutting to wearing 😊 It’s a very cute, well drafted top and a fun project to make.
#sundaysewing #handmade #selfishsewing #sewingproject #sewing #sewcialists #sewistsofinstagram #sewersofinstagram #isew #cucitoitaliano

Thanks to everyone who suggested #bomberjacket patterns, here’s a roundup in case anyone else’s interested:
#mccalls7100 was by far the most popular pattern
#mccalls7637 is a unisex pattern
@jalie_patterns offers the #charliebomberjacket
@sewalittleseam has the #olliebomberjacket, both for kids and adults
@dpstudio_fashion offers two pretty stunning versions
As for me, I think for once I’ll try to not be wasteful and use what I already have, so I’ll make a toile of the @lamiaboutiqueitalia pattern and I’ll take it from there 😎

Help! I’m on the hunt for a bomber pattern, and while this one from @lamiaboutiqueitalia 12/2017 might be just what I need, I’d like to know if anyone has suggestions. I know of the #rigelbomber by @papercutpatterns but I don’t like the neckline (although I like everything else about it).

Thanks @patternsy for being a crucial part in getting my sewjo back ✂️ No more a4 pdf pattern assembling for me 🎉 #sewing #grainlinestudio #hadleytop

Sunday 🙌 @lazzaristore #lazzarigirl

So happy and proud to have worked backstage the #guccicruise19 show on women’s outerwear. And now, time to finally go back home 🚌 #gucci #alycamps

So I’ve been MIA for quite a while now but I’m fine and still sewing. As a job, actually! I’m quite happy and busy and slowly coming back to being myself after two stressful years. I’m also thinking about giving another go at blogging but we’ll see how that goes 🤗
How are you guys?
(Sorry to have deleted the previous post with your lovely comments but I might have posted something I shouldn’t have 💩)

Man, do I love fall ❤️

Hey guys! Long time no... see? Blog? Whatever. I'm alright, just very very very busy!
Anyways, I'm still the usual fabric addict, so I had to share this discount code from @supercutit ! Please take advantage of it, I know I will!

New post on the blog post, on this striped top made in collaboration with @supercutit and @schnittchen_com ✌️